Skin care is extremely important before applying any makeup to the skin. You need to make sure that the skin is clean with no residue left over before you apply any makeup so that you have a 'blank canvas' to work with.

We practiced on our partners and were shown how we should stand to prep the skin before makeup. All cleansing, toning and moisturising should be done from behind the person, using the mirror to to see what you are doing.

Cleansing:
- Apply using cotton pads.
- Removes makeup and dirt from the skin.
- Use cotton buds around the eyes to get close to the lash line.
- Allows for a blank canvas before you start applying makeup.
- When prepping the skin on a male use tissue instead of cotton pads as the wool can get stuck to the stubble.
- If the client has a lot of eye makeup you can ask them to take it off themselves because then they can apply more pressure to their eyes.

Toning:
- Removes any further residue and dirt.
- Applied using a cotton pad.
- Preps the skin for moisturiser.

Moisturise:
- Hydrates and moisturises the skin.
- Depending on what skin type the client has should depend on the amount you apply.
- Some bases work better without a moisturiser or a primer, so depending on what base you use that could effect whether you apply it or not.